Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
JAX
Buttoning up my silk shirt, I rush through the dimly lit corridors of Uringi’s estate.
I’m still out of breath, my cheeks hot from the hot spring and Noblewoman Genji’s touch.
She proved to be a great tour guide. And an even better distraction.
I completely lost track of time, almost forgetting why I even came here tonight.
Vera will have me hanged by the balls.
I take the stairs leading to the second floor where the sleeping quarters are. The halls are empty here, too.
Thankfully, with my head empty of lust, I can be extremely efficient.
Feet quiet, I check each door as I pass. Quickly, I scan the rooms that all reek of luxury and, in my opinion, poor taste.
Nobleman Uringi must be compensating for something really hard.
I can only guess what.
Finally, I approach the very last door at the end of the corridor. I open the sliding door to find a wall of large windows.
This is it.
Uringi’s bedroom.
Of course, as expected, this room is even more pompous than all the others.
The floors are black marble with white stitching, tall walls covered in heavy silk canvases that portray war.
I pause by one and snort. What does this gluttonous, grumpy noble know of war?
He even has a pair of elaborate Ezkai swords hanging on one of the walls together with a white-and-black mask.
I can’t help but chuckle.
I’m curious to snoop around to see what embarrassing secrets I can find, but there’s no time for indulgence.
I open a door on the right wall. It leads to a private washroom that’s almost as large as the bedroom.
Quickly, I cross the room to open the door on the left. It’s locked.
Jackpot.
I get on one knee.
It’s no regular lock, though. Instead of the handle, there’s a statue of a gold dragonbird. Its feathery wings are spread out, long thin body pressed to the door.
“Ah,” I sigh.
Kugi was wrong after all. Not all nobles are careless with how they store their artifacts.
This won’t be as easy as I hoped.
I look around the room. Considering Uringi shows little signs of intelligence, he probably hides the special key somewhere in his bedroom.
He strikes me as a man who’d be too lazy to go somewhere else to look for it.
I roam the room and check each box, drawer, book, statue, and other knickknacks, looking for a hiding spot.
Time’s ticking. Sweat drips down my spine.
The laughter, music, and chatter come from downstairs. I pause. The bedroom is just above the lounge where the party is taking place.
At first, I freeze. But then remember that no way they can hear steps through all that noise.
After checking the washroom from floor to ceiling, I return to the bedroom, frustrated.
I’m running out of time. Fast.
If I don’t find this key and get the heirloom, I’m so fucked.
Phoenix won’t get the help from this Oka Oya. She won’t win. Daegel will reign.
I’ll see my freedom like I see the back of my head.
If I hadn’t gotten distracted by Noblewoman Genji, I would have more time now.
“Fuck,” I curse and run a hand through my hair.
One last time I circle the bedroom and check every corner again.
Nothing.
I stand in the middle of the room with my hands on my hips and eye the space. Where would this damn man keep a key?
Somewhere that’s easily accessible, but not a place where people would—
The white-and-black mask on the wall catches my attention.
“Hm,” I hum. Cock my head to the side. “No way.”
I approach the mask and carefully lift it from the wall. It comes off easily. I freeze. Nothing happens. No traps.
The wall is empty, though. No secret hidden door that hides the key.
I glance down at the mask in my hand before I lift it to put it back.
There it is.
The long, slim gold key with dainty thornlike spikes at the very end.
My shoulders sag as I exhale. Then I rush towards the locked door.
I insert the key into the dragonbird lock and turn it. The mechanism inside whirls. A moment later, the door cracks and slides open.
Dozen of shelves stacked with the most luxurious treasures line the walls of a small treasury. Swords, masks, rubies the size of my head.
If I steal one of these and sell it, I can spend the rest of my life living lavishly without a worry.
I pause by the big diamond-encrusted egg. It’s tempting.
Before my fingers reach for it, I scold myself. Stop that.
I roll my shoulders, remind myself of my mission, and look for the small ruby-encrusted box Vera said should have the heirloom inside.
After some search, I find the box sitting at the very back of the room between two large wolfturtle statues.
I snatch the box and whirl on my heel. I lock the door behind me and put the key back where I found it.
Before going downstairs, I stop and inspect the room to ensure I left everything the way I found it.
Vera will be pleased.
My balls are safe.
And my freedom may as well still be mine.